_{Site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Photo: CNN)}

by Charles Gladden

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Wed. Apr. 9, 2025

Over 100 persons in the Dominican Republic were confirmed dead and hundreds injured after the roof of Jet Set nightclub collapsed on them in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8.

The incident occurred in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo.

It has been confirmed that over 300 clubgoers were in the building when the roof collapsed shortly before 1:00 a.m. while local merengue singer Rubby Pérez and his group were performing. Pérez’s lifeless body was found on Wednesday morning, confirmed local authorities.

The exact number of injured persons is yet to be confirmed, as 145 persons were found alive, but an unconfirmed number are yet unaccounted for. Another 20 bodies have since been discovered beneath the rubble, and many bodies have yet to be identified.

An estimated 124 persons were killed, including retired Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel and first baseman Tony Blanco, as well as Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern Dominican Republic province of Montecristi.

Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, stated via social media, “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred.”

Jet Set nightclub has often featured local and international musical guests on Monday nights.

The club noted in a public statement, “We are collaborating fully and transparently with the competent authorities to help the victims and clarify what happened.”

The cause of the roof’s collapse is not yet known, authorities said.